Professor Sam Roberts believes there are certain essentials his students need to know before beginning a career in journalism.

“I believe that the foundation for all journalism, whether it is print or broadcast, or the Internet or whatever, is two things: writing and reporting – everything else is distribution,” said Roberts.

The central focus of Roberts’ classes in broadcast journalism is cultivating an understanding of the fundamentals that are at the core of good reporting.

“What I try to do is give them a foundation in the way it should be done,” he said. “I always give them a lecture that ‘I’m teaching you the way they teach classical music.'” According to Roberts, if a person knows how to play Beethoven, he can play anything.

Beginning his career in journalism with United Press International, Roberts joined CBS News full-time in late 1962. In 1967, he became producer and later senior producer for CBS Evening News with Walter Kronkite, a post he held until Kronkite’s final broadcast on Mar. 6, 1981.

Roberts continued to serve in a variety of senior positions at CBS, including news national editor and foreign editor. In 1991, he directed the effort to secure the release of four CBS journalists captured by the Iraqi army. It took six weeks of extreme tension for his efforts to prove successful.

Roberts retired from CBS in 1995 and in 1996 became the vice president and general manager of television programming at the New York Times. He joined the faculty of the School of Communication in 1999.

Being successful in a highly competitive profession is a goal of Roberts’ lectures.

“I am training my students so they can compete with people who have two to three years experience,” he said. “Somebody who can show a potential employer that they have the journalistic skills, writing skills, reporting skills and performance skills will do well in this business.”

That very day, Roberts received a call from a former student who had just been hired by a major news organization over people with three or four years’ experience.

“That really made me feel good,” he said.

Looking back on his career, working with the legendary Walter Kronkite was what influenced Roberts the most.

“[Kronkite] was a tough, competitive editor and he demanded that we do better than the other guys,” Roberts said. “We had a certain spirit about that organization, that staff of that broadcast, that has really shaped my way of operating.”

Motioning to the wall behind him and the career mementos adorning it, Roberts expressed the core message he wants to convey to his students.

“If I can do it, you can do it,” he says. “If I can be out there watching guys go to the moon or watch historical events like the Civil Rights movement. . . you can do it – so get out there.”

Scott Wacholtz can be reached at s.wacholtz@umiami.edu.

Considering going Greek? Fraternities at UM are currently participating in spring recruitment.

According to Matthew Nickerson, Interfraternity Council [IFC] vice-president of Greek Recruitment, joining a fraternity aids in many different aspects of college life, including academic excellence, student leadership and professional networking.

“The people you will meet in your own and other Greek organizations certainly help you after you graduate. You never know who will be your brother or sister,” Nickerson said.

The UM Greek Life website states that 85 percent of Fortune 500 executives are Greek.

The spring recruitment is not as extensive as fall recruitment and does not include as many events.

“Spring is usually a little bit lighter because most people have already decided whether they are going to go Greek” Nickerson said.

This brings both advantages and disadvantages to the spring process.

“Often you have known these people for three or four months and you know what kind of person they are,” Peter Maki, president of Sigma Chi, said. “The disadvantage is that the interest isn’t there as much. People have either found the things they want to do or they are waiting until next fall.”

Sororities do not partake in the events because they follow different rules and quota requirements.

“We can recruit people 365 days a year,” Nickerson said. “We never have a maximum.”

The three-week spring recruitment will last until Feb. 6, which is Bid Day and the final day of the dry rushing process. Each fraternity does recruitment its own way, with its own events.

Once the students become familiar with a certain fraternity, the fraternity decides if it will give them a bid. In the UC on Feb. 6, the bids will be revealed and the students will choose their new brotherhood.

Maki gave some advice for students who think they might want to give Greek life a try.

“Don’t make a decision based on who gets you the most drunk or who throws the best parties,” Maki said.

The 2004 Spring Fraternity Forum will be held on Wednesday, Jan. 28 from 7 – 9 p.m. in the UC ballrooms.

Megha Garg can be reached at UM_News2004@yahoo.com.

New UM trustees appointed

The University of Miami Board of Trustees has announced the appointment of five new members: David L. Epstein, managing partner of Presidential Capital Partners and minority owner of the Florida Panthers hockey team; Dr. Roger J. Medel, President, CEO and co-founder of Pediatrix Medical Group, the nation’s largest provider of maternal-fetal-newborn care; Alex Rodriguez, professional baseball player for the Texas Rangers; H.T. Smith, a personal injury attorney who owns his own practice in Miami; and Steven Sonberg, a senior partner at the Miami law firm of Holland & Knight. The Board is responsible for governing the University of Miami, the largest private research university in the southeastern United States.

Loans for textbooks available

The Department of Multicultural Student Affairs is offering book loans to undergraduate African, Asian, Hispanic and Native-American students. The loans will be offered to assist with the purchase of textbooks only. These loans must be repaid within 60 days of the date in which the loans are issued. In order to qualify for a book loan, a student must meet the following criteria:
– Cumulative G.P.A. of 2.0 or better
– Must be a second-semester freshman, sophomore or junior
– Must submit completed loan request form
– Objective evidence of financial need as indicated by a copy of the student’s FAFSA
– Ability to repay the loan within 60 days
– Good academic standing (not on any University probation)
If you have any questions regarding a book loan, please contact the Department of Multicultural Student Affairs at (305) 284-2855, Building 21-P. ** The funds for the book loan program are provided by private donors to assist the students identified above.
Athletic training major offered

Undecided or undeclared? Looking to change your major? Do you enjoy athletics? Are you interested in the medical field? Then Athletic Training may be the major for you! Learn how to provide healthcare for athletes and enter a profession that offers a variety of opportunities and experiences while enjoying the world of sports. To get more information regarding the Athletics Training Education Program, visit www.education.miami.edu/athletictraining or contact Jenna Doherty at 305-284-3024 or 305-284-4528.
Organization photos ending

Organization photos for the Ibis yearbook will be taken for the last time the week of Jan. 26 – 30 from 6:45 to 11 p.m. in Mahoney/Pearson Room 103. To confirm a date and time for your organization to have its picture taken, please email the Ibis at ibiseditor@hotmail.com. You can also contact Tiffany at 305-284-6385 to schedule an appointment.

Love acting? Have talent? Then come down to the UC Ballrooms (second floor) from February 3 through 6 in between 5 and 8 p.m. and audition for Quantum Entertainment’s production of West Side Story. Prepare a one-minute, serio-comic monologue and 16 bars from a musical that best shows off your voice. Walk-ins are welcome during any of the hours listed, or reserve an audition appointment by sending an e-mail to WESTSIDECASTING@yahoo.com or call 305-284-4606. Appointments are six minutes in length. Dance auditions are held at 9 p.m. each night.

Here’s your last chance to take Senior and Underclassmen yearbook photos, from January 26 through 30 in the UC Lounge. Seniors must make their appointment online at www.mcgrathstudios.com, password: ibis. Senior sitting fee is $20.00 and portraits include cap and gown. Don’t miss out on being part of this year’s yearbook. Furthermore, the Ibis is still looking for candidates for “Senior Spotlight”, features on outstanding seniors in the 2004 yearbook. In order to nominate or apply, pass by the Ibis office, UC 229, and pick up a form. Forms are due in the office by February 13.

The Ibis yearbook is in need of writers. The theme of the book this year is school spirit, and they want to include as many voices and reactions as possible in the book. The Ibis covers anything and everything that takes place on campus, and even things off campus, like summer blockbusters, or the World Series. Everyone is encouraged to submit their stories, even if they think it’s not something that would be included. The stories are usually 250 through 300 words, but it is also okay if the articles are more, as that is something that can be worked with. There are plenty of assignments that need to be covered, and stories that are printed in the yearbook are considered published work, so it looks great on resumes! The Ibis yearbook wins awards every year, why not be a part of it? All quotes and stories can be sent to ibiswriter@hotmail.com or dropped off at the yearbook office in the UC 229. Include your name, year, and an e-mail address.

Women’s Basketball & Free Tailgate! What more could you ask for? Come support our women as they take on the fighting Irish of Notre Dame January 28 at 7 p.m. Category 5 is hosting a tailgate event for all students in the Hurricane 100 Room at the Convocation Center from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Enjoy free food and drinks and visits from President Shalala and Coach Labati before the game! Mark your planners: January 28 at 6 p.m.!

In response to requests from students and faculty, the Otto G. Richter Library will stay open until 10 p.m. on Saturdays during the Spring Semester. Throughout the semester, use will be analyzed to determine whether Saturday hours need to be expanded on a permanent basis. For information about hours over breaks and at other University of Miami Libraries, please see http://www.library.miami.edu/.

University of Miami, College of Arts and Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies is proud to host “Freedom in the Florida Territory: American and Caribbean Connections to the Underground Railroad” from January 29 through 31. FREE for students! This extraordinary conference is devoted to exploring the resistance to enslavement through escape and flight in Florida and the Caribbean. Topics will include various forms of marronage, known in the United States by the term “Underground Railroad.” Register ASAP on-line through http://mgg.rsmas.miami.edu/sfcesu or call 305-284-6340 or 305-284-2017.

The University of Miami will sponsor events for the 21st Annual Miami International Film Festival including film industry panels, roundtable discussions, and educational seminars, as well as screening 16 of the acclaimed festival’s 63 films from 34 countries, on its Coral Gables campus. Fanning out across the city, screenings will take place in five locations: Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami, Regal South Beach Cinema 18 on Lincoln Road, Tower Theater in Little Havana, Sunrise Intracoastal Cinema in North Miami Beach, and the Bill Cosford Cinema on UM’s Coral Gables campus. Tickets to films are $7 students, $9 members, $10 seniors, $11 general public, will be available to purchase by phone: 1-877-888-MIFF (6433) or through the Festival website at http://www.miamifilmfestival.com/. 21st Annual Event held from January 30 through February 8.

The Sue and Leonard Miller Center for Contemporary Judaic Studies is hosting from 12 to 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, Dr. Mitchell G. Bard on “Myths and Facts Surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict”. This program is sponsored by the Futernick Family Foundation at the Miller Center, 105 Merrick Bldg. We invite you to be our guest for lunch. Please R.S.V.P. by January 30 in order to have lunch ordered for you. If you do not make a reservation, you are still welcome to attend the lecture, but without lunch. To RSVP, send an e-mail to ccjs@miami.edu, call 305-284-6882 or send a fax to 305-284-5274.

TODAY
The Academic Development Center hosts a Brown Bag Workshop on “Organization and Time Management,” in UC 241 at 12:30 p.m. Reservations are required no later than 24 hours in advance. For more information or to make a reservation, call 305-284-4790.

WEDNESDAY
Women’s Basketball & free tailgate! What more could you ask for? Come support our women as they take on the fighting Irish of Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Category 5 is hosting a tailgate event for all students in the Hurricane 100 Room at the Convocation Center from 6 to 7 p.m. Enjoy free food and drinks and visits from President Shalala and Coach Labati before the game!

THURSDAY
Get involved this semester and catch “Spring Fever” at the Spring Involvement Fair on the UC Patio from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., hosted by COSO. In the UC Lower Lounge, the Volunteer Fair will be held. There will be a variety of volunteer organizations from the Miami area present to show how you can give back to your community. For more information, contact Jenny Rodriguez at 305-284-6399.

FRIDAY
LINK is hosting a “Feel Good Friday” volunteer event to visit the Gladstone Center for girls and the Ronald McDonald House. They will be meeting at the Rock at 3 p.m. For more information, contact link.studorg@miami.edu or call Marc O’Connor at 305-284-4483.

Come down to the Rathskeller at 7 p.m. for a good laugh as the Rathskeller Advisory Board brings you Belly Bust 2004, hosted by Prescott and Leon Rogers as headliner.

MONDAY JANUARY 26- FRIDAY JANUARY 30
The last chance to get your organization photographed for the Ibis Yearbook will be from 6:45 to 11 p.m. in Mahoney/Pearson in Room 103. To confirm a date and time for your organization to have its picture taken, e-mail the Ibis at ibiseditor@hotmail.com or contact Tiffany at 305-284-6385 to schedule a photo time.

FRIDAY JANUARY 30- SUNDAY FEBRUARY 8
The University of Miami will sponsor events for the 21st Annual Miami International Film Festival including film industry panels, roundtable discussions, and educational seminars, as well as screening 16 of the acclaimed festival’s 63 films from 34 countries, on its Coral Gables campus. Fanning out across the city, screenings will take place in five locations: Gusman Center for the Performing Arts in downtown Miami, Regal South Beach Cinema 18 on Lincoln Road, Tower Theater in Little Havana, Sunrise Intracoastal Cinema in North Miami Beach, and the Bill Cosford Cinema on UM’s Coral Gables campus. Tickets to films are $7 students, $9 members, $10 seniors, $11 general public, will be available to purchase by phone: 1-877-888-MIFF (6433) or through the Festival website at http://www.miamifilmfestival.com/.

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 3- FRIDAY FEBRUARY 6
Quantum Entertainment is holding auditions for their production of West Side Story in the UC Ballrooms (second floor) between 5 and 8 p.m. To audition, prepare a one-minute, serio-comic monologue and 16 bars from a musical that best shows off your voice. Walk-ins are welcome during any of the hours listed, or reserve an audition appointment by sending an e-mail to WESTSIDECASTING@yahoo.com or call 305-284-4606. Appointments are six minutes in length. Dance auditions are held at 9 p.m. each night.

UM executive administration officially closed the Department of International Studies last week.

This move comes after last year’s closing of the School of International Studies and the North-South Center.

International Studies at UM included international relations and an understanding of global developments, as well an appreciation of regional developments in Europe and Latin America.

As early as 1937, UM offered a special undergraduate major in Latin American studies, a pioneering program in the field of international studies.

Following the inauguration of President Edward T. Foote II in 1981, UM developed the Center for Advanced International Studies, the Graduate School of International Studies and the Dante B. Fascell North-South Center.

In 1997, the University’s graduate and undergraduate programs were unified, and the Graduate School of International Studies became the School of International Studies.

In 2002, under President Donna E. Shalala, a further reorganization took place and the School of International Studies became the Department of International Studies within the College of Arts & Sciences.

Students who are concerned about the effects the closing of the department could have on their degrees can attend an informative meeting tonight at 6 p.m. outside of the Ferre Building.

The Hurricane will follow up on this issue as more details become available.

Jorge Arauz can be contacted at j.arauz@umiami.edu.

The new Go Orange and Green Dry Cleaning pick-up station in the StormSurge Cafe is ready for business.

Mario Capone, owner of Mario’s Dry Cleaning, which provides the service, is a former pro-wrestler and racecar driver.

According to Capone, UM services include dry cleaning, laundering, wash and fold, alterations and repairs.

Capone said this is not the first time he has offered his services to the University.

“I’ve been doing football coaches’ uniforms, some football players’ jerseys, umpires’ uniforms, ladies and men’s basketball uniforms and some of the cheerleader and the band uniforms for about a few years,” Capone said.

With a background in tailoring, Capone came to the United States with his family in 1962, when he was 16 years old. After about 11 years of working in Miami, he had his own business by 1980, working his way up from a tailor to the owner of Mario’s Dry Cleaning.

“I feel more American than I do Italian,” said Capone, who feels the United States is a great country full of opportunity.

At age 23, Capone began amateur wrestling through the YMCA in Fort Myers, FL, under the alias Julius Capone.

“My idol in those days, the ’60s, was Bruno San Martino, the Champion,” said Capone, who drew his inspiration from watching wrestling on television.

After about a year and a half, Capone came to Miami and turned professional, his career lasting three and a half years.

Soon after his professional wrestling career ended, Capone took up a new hobby: professional car racing.

Once again, he derived his inspiration from watching races on television, his idol being Mario Andretti, who won four National Indy Car Championships, logged more than one hundred career victories and captured more pole positions than any other driver in history, according to St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, 2002 Gale Group. Capone, whose career lasted more than a decade, said he raced in local speedways and old pro races, including the 1986 Miami Grand Prix.

The dry cleaning station is located across from the StormSurge Cafe in the UC. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Christine Dominguez can be contacted at c.dominguez3@umiami.edu.